NOTE: If you're new to the blog please scroll down to the bottom to read about the trip from the beginning.

Just a quick update on the fundraising so far. We've sent off £1,385.51 in cheques to the Meningitis Research Foundation which, with the £485.00 you've donated through the Just Giving website, makes a total so far of £1,870.51!

Thank you SO MUCH everyone who has donated. With the gift aid that the charity can reclaim on your donations we've already raised over £2,000 - with more still to come in. We'll keep you posted on the final total.

It's not too late to donate! The Just Giving website is live until 22 December - or send us a cheque made payable to the Meningitis Research Foundation.